
Music to My Years
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Narrated by:
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Cristela Alonzo
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By:
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Cristela Alonzo
About this listen
In this memoir full of humor and heart, comedian, writer, and producer Cristela Alonzo shares personal stories of growing up as a first-generation Mexican American in Texas and following her dreams to pursue a career in comedy.
When Cristela Alonzo and her family lived as squatters in an abandoned diner, they only had two luxuries: a television and a radio, which became her pop cultural touchstone and a guiding light.
Cristela shares her experiences and struggles of being a first-generation American, her dreams of becoming a comedian, and how it feels to be a creator in a world that often minimizes people of color and women. Her stories range from the ridiculous - like the time she made her own tap shoes out of bottle caps or how the theme song of The Golden Girls landed her in the principal’s office - to the sobering moments, like how she turned to stand-up comedy to grieve the heartbreaking loss of her mother, and how, years later, she’s committed to giving back to the community that helped make her.
Each significant moment of the audiobook relates to a song, and the resulting playlist is deeply moving, resonant, and unforgettable. Music to My Years will make you laugh, cry, and even inspire you to make a playlist of your own.
©2019 Cristela Alonzo (P)2019 Simon & SchusterListeners also enjoyed...
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Featured Article: Latino Stories in Biographies & Memoirs
In modern America, the interchangeable use of the words "Hispanic" and "Latino" blends two identities that are inherently unique in their own right. While Hispanic refers to those who speak Spanish, Latino generally denotes geography, referring to people of Latin American descent. This collection seeks to embody a few Latino narratives from authors descended from Latin America. Press play on these inspiring listens.
What listeners say about Music to My Years
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- Ricardo
- 11-05-19
Amazing Book!
Cristela shares such heartfelt life stories. As a daughter of immigrant parents imher story is so relatable. Loved it!
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- Jeanette
- 12-21-22
Upbeat
Funny, sad, eye opener, social issues. This book has it all! Kept me focus and intrigued.
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- Isela
- 08-16-22
Beautiful, Hilarious, Powerful.
Oh my, I loved this book. The mixtape framework was incredible. I resonated so much with Cristela’s stories and yet also learned so much about her particular experience. Very grateful for the nuance she brings to the conversation around Latinx representation in media. Want another book from her asap….and a writing class!
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- alissa
- 03-04-25
love how she add music in her life
this book touched my heart loved it I can't wait ❤️ to see what Cristela Alonzo does in the future 🥰😍
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- Mebazi
- 09-30-20
Worth my money & time
Will listen to at least 2 more times. I discovered Cristela through this book. She's now a personal hero. I cannot wait to follow her on her journey and discover more of her work. Her delivery and written story is beyond touching. She's a true gem.
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- Natasha B
- 01-08-20
Inspiring, insightful, integrity
The author is each of these-inspiring, insightful, and she has integrity. I love her honesty even when she contradicts herself, as we all do. I love her way of dealing w her bully as a child. That she can’t be bought bc she’s not afraid of severe poverty bc she’s already survived it. Great listen!
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- MzGmz
- 06-21-22
Easy to relate too
I enjoyed the book very much . The chronological order of things could have been better otherwise a great listen.
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- DaniB
- 10-25-24
Fun & real
This is such a good book!
I enjoyed Cristela’s narrative style. I read the audiobook narrated by her and it was as if she was talking to a friend (me).
Her journey is quite interesting and easily relatable to the Latino community. And to everyone else, a good way to learn about a the experience of a Mexican-American woman in the United States, in LA, in show business, in life..
This book exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended to all readers!
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- Priscilla Chavarria
- 10-22-19
Great book!
I enjoyed this book very much! You feel all kinds of emotions as you get through the chapters. I def enjoyed it!
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- Lonnie
- 01-19-21
Vulnerable and honest stories from an excellent comic.
I picked this book because I love her stand up. She’s funny! But I also wanted to hear her stories because she is a woman of color who is shining in her industry, and I wanted to know what she decided to share. If I had to guess, this was going to be a funny book with more stories about growing up, being a Mexican American, how groceries at Whole Foods was exxxpensive! The depth, the realness, the honesty she showed in the storytelling, and the genius of pairing each chapter with a song that represented the era, the person, the situation, really pulled me in. It made me laugh out loud while I did the dishes and listen, made me cry as I was mending my clothes, made me motivated to keep on keeping on as an immigrant in this country myself. Thank you Cristela for this gift. I highly recommend!!
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